In a news interview this week, OCSEA Chris Mabe expressed support for legislation that would require BWC to cover the cost of diagnostics and treatment when a Corrections employee is exposed to dangerous substances through blood or other bodily fluid. Go HERE to see the interview.
Under current state law, BWC pays for the cost of post-exposure diagnostic and treatment for police officers, fire fighters and EMTs—but not Corrections employees.
So, if a Corrections employee is exposed to a substance on the job, like the incident that just occurred at Ross Correctional, BWC does not cover the cost.
Rick Perales, a Republican from Greene County, recently drafted legislation that would take the burden off Corrections employees, who, through no fault of their own, come into contact with dangerous substances on the job. Perales is currently looking for co-sponsors to the bill.
“This is a welcome change since our members have had to bear those medical costs themselves,” said Mabe. “We have been trying to get this change for years now, and we encourage legislators to sign on to the bill and help us get it passed,” he said.